







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| My cat is in the garden. | |
| Thanks, but I don't have time to stay. | |
| Bear is okay with cats, but definitely not with dogs. | |
| Oh god, it's the second thing I hate doing in the kitchen! | |
| Do you remember me? | |
| Yes, the guy with the beard is Mike. | |
| Isn't that funny? | |
| There are plenty more, but I think gumtree.com is the best. | |
| Very nice! I hope he doesn't do it all the time! | |
| I have two more lessons, I finish at three thirty. | |
| How old are you? | |
| Is it really on the menu? | |
| Okay, we have all the things we need, then. | |
| Thanks, yeah, as I said, Camden is in zone-2... | |
| I can cook, of course, but only when I feel like it. | |
| I don't think we need to pay for it. | |
| How is it my fault? | |
| I don't believe you! What's the difference today? | |
| Okay, maybe it's better for you to have some rest. | |
| My housemates don't clean anything in the kitchen. | |